The more I delve into 16bit Sensation, the more I get hooked. I started the series because of a recommendation by Fuwamoco, was hooked by the main character’s enthusiasm and got really into it from the hints of an actual plot. While the series already works as a Shirobako for galge, the ED to the first episode hinted to a deeper plot which the subsequent episodes do appear to be following up on.

There’s a hint of nostalgia for a time I never experienced thanks to passionate characters like Mamoru and the time-traveling Konoha.

Konoha’s passion is contagious, and her situation is relatable. Despite the imperfections with her method of time travel, skipping forward by years and altering the present, I am able to relate to why she would continue to do so to be in a place where she feels she belongs.

The anime was so intriguing that I took a look at the manga which blew my mind. The manga’s story follows Meiko, one of the supporting cast in the anime, as the main character, and exists in a timeline where Konoha does not travel back in time and doesn’t appear in the story. As a result, the story feels much closer to Genshiken, as a homage to the early days of galge. Not only does the manga offer a different experience from the anime, it also provides a alternative story which can be enjoyed alongside the anime, allowing the anime to benefit from both being an adaptation and having an anime original storyline.

The manga is also illustrated by the artist of The World God Only Knows, which was a huge throwback for me on top of having great art.